Shaping the Future of MetroWest:
A guide to civic engagement
Do you want to have a voice in the future of your town or city? Would you like to help shape your local schools, public services, land use, and more? There are many ways to get involved, from sharing input in a public meeting to running for an elected seat or applying for an appointed seat on a local board or commission. This guide provides information on how to connect with your town and city officials and engage in local decision making in MetroWest (Ashland, Framingham, Holliston, Hopkinton, Marlborough, Natick, Sherborn, Southborough, Sudbury, and Wayland).
Civic Success Stories!
While national politics tends to dominate the news, local government often has the greatest impact on our daily lives. Most towns and cities in New England are governed by volunteers serving on select boards, school committees, planning boards and other governing and advisory positions and those boards and committees rely on citizen input. Without public servants, local government could not operate.
There are two forms of local government represented in MetroWest (as defined by the Metrowest Leadership Academy). Framingham and Marlborough have a City Council form of government. A City Council is the legislative body of City government, deriving its power and responsibilities from a City Charter. A City Council’s duties typically include adopting ordinances, confirming mayoral appointments, establishing fiscal policies, and reviewing the city’s annual budget. City Councilors alse serve as advocates for constituents in their districts.
All other towns have either an Open Town Meeting or Representative Town Meeting form of government which means all of the town’s voters or their elected representatives may vote on all matters such as the town budget, zoning, and other laws. Each town has a different way of running its Town Meeting, depending on its Bylaws and Charter. One thing that is standard for all towns — residents must be present in person to vote. Town meetings have been used in portions of the United States, principally in New England, since the 17th century. You can read more about Town Meeting form of government on the state’s website here: Citizen’s Guide to Town Meetings.
Click on the towns and cities below to find your town/city government contacts, voting dates, volunteer opportunities, open positions, and more.
***Due to COVID 19, many Elections and Town Meetings have been rescheduled. For up to date information regarding your 2020 Annual Town Meeting please contact your Town Clerk directly.***
Framingham is a City Government with a City Council
Mayor
mayor@framinghamma.gov
508-532-5400
City Hall
Memorial Building
150 Concord Street
Framingham, MA 01702
City Council Meetings
City council meetings usually occur the first and third Tuesday of each month at 7:00 pm at City Hall in the Blumer Room and are open to the public.
City Clerk
cityclerk@framinghamma.gov
508-532-5411
Get Involved
Open Board, Commission & Committee Seats
Employment Opportunities
Marlborough is a City Government with a City Council
https://www.marlborough-ma.gov/
Mayor
Contact the Mayor
508-460-3770
City Hall
140 Main Street
Marlborough, MA 01752
City Council Meetings
City council meetings usually occur bi-monthly on Mondays at 8:00 pm at City Hall in the council chambers on the second floor and are open to the public.
City Clerk
cityclerk@marlborough-ma.gov
508-460-3770
Get Involved
Boards, Commissions & Committees (For up to date information on open seats, email mayor@marlborough-ma.gov).
Employment Opportunities
Natick is a Town with a Board of Selectmen and Representative Town Meeting
Town Administrator
Contact the Town Administrator
508-647-6403
Town Hall
13 East Central Street
Natick, MA 01760
Town Meetings
Town Meeting occurs twice a year. Spring Town Meeting happens on a Tuesday in April, exactly two weeks after Annual Town Election held on the last Tuesday in March. Fall Town Meeting happens on the 3rd Tuesday in October. Both meetings start at 7:30 pm and are held at Natick High School, 15 West St, Natick, MA 01760. Please check the town website for more information.
Town Clerk
Contact the Town Clerk
508-647-6430 x4
Get Involved
Open Board, Commission & Committee Seats
Employment Opportunities
Ashland is a Town with a Select Board and Open Town Meeting
Town Manager
Contact the Town Manager
508-881-0100
Town Hall
101 Main Street
Ashland, MA 01721
Town Meetings
Town Meeting occurs annually on the first Wednesday in May at 7:00 pm at Ashland High School, 65 E Union St, Ashland.
Town Clerk
townclerkoffice@ashlandmass.com
508-881-0100 x7127
Get Involved
Open Board, Commission & Committee Seats
Employment Opportunities
Hopkinton is a Town with a Select Board and Open Town Meeting
Town Manager
Contact the Town Manager
508-497-9701
Town Hall
18 Main Street
Hopkinton, MA 01748
Town Meetings
Town Meeting occurs annually on the first Monday in May at 7:00 pm at the Hopkinton Middle School.
Hopkinton Middle School
88 Hayden Rowe St
Hopkinton, MA 01748
Town Clerk
Contact the Town Clerk
508-497-9710
Get Involved
Open Board, Commission & Committee Seats
Employment Opportunities
Holliston is a Town with a Select Board and Open Town Meeting
https://www.townofholliston.us/
Town Administrator
Contact the Town Administrator
508-429-0608
Town Hall
703 Washington Street
Holliston MA 01746
Town Meetings
Town Meetings occurs annually on the first Monday in May at 7:30 pm at the Holliston High School Auditorium.
Holliston High School
370 Hollis St.
Holliston, MA 01746
Town Clerk
Contact the Town Clerk
508-429-0601
Get Involved
Sherborn is a Town with a Select Board and Open Town Meeting
Town Administrator
Contact the Town Administrator
508-651-7850 x1
Town Hall
19 Washington Street
Sherborn, MA 01770
Town Meetings
Town Meeting occurs annually, usually on the last Tuesday in April at 7:00 pm at Lindquist Commons Building, Dover-Sherborn Regional High School, 9 Junction St, Dover. The date may vary within the last half of April and the first week of May. See Sherborn’s website or contact the Town Clerk for more information.
Town Clerk
Contact the Town Clerk
508-651-7853
Get Involved
Southborough is a Town with a Board of Selectmen and Open Town Meeting
https://www.southboroughtown.com/
Town Administrator
Contact the Town Administrator
508-485-0710
Town Hall
17 Common Street
Southborough, MA, 01772
Town Meetings
Town Meeting occurs annually, usually in March, however the date and time are set by the Selectmen and they change yearly. Please find more information on the town website.
Town Clerk
townclerk@southboroughma.com
508-485-0710 x3005
Get Involved
Open Board, Commission & Committee Seats
Employment Opportunities
Wayland is a Town with a Board of Selectmen and Open Town Meeting
Town Administrator
Contact the Town Administrator
508-358-7755
Town Hall
41 Cochituate Road
Wayland, MA 01778
Town Meetings
Town Meeting occurs annually between April 1st and May 15th at Wayland High School Field House. Please see the town website for more information.
Town Clerk
townclerk@wayland.ma.us
508-358-3631
Get Involved
Open Board, Commission & Committee Seats
Employment Opportunities
Sudbury is a Town with a Board of Selectmen and Open Town Meeting
Town Manager
townmanager@sudbury.ma.us
978-639-3381
Town Hall
322 Concord Rd
Sudbury, MA 01776
Town Meetings
Town Meeting occurs annually on the first Monday in May at 7:30 pm at Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School Auditorium, 390 Lincoln Road, Sudbury.
Town Clerk
clerk@sudbury.ma.us
978-639-3351
Get Involved
Open Board, Commission & Committee Seats
Employment Opportunities
You can also contact your state and federal legislators with ideas, concerns, and questions about local issues happening in your town or city:
If you are a U.S. Citizen, you have the right to:
- Vote in local and state elections
- Participate in Town Meeting
- Place articles on the Town Meeting Warrant
- Run for elected office
If you are a non-U.S. Citizen, you have the right to:
- Use town services
- Apply for appointments to most town boards and committees (while non-citizens cannot run for elected seats, they can apply for appointed seats)
- Attend and speak at Town Meeting (non-U.S. Citizens cannot vote at Town Meeting)
- Speak at public hearings and forums
- Voice concerns to town employees and officials
IF YOU FIND ANY BROKEN LINKS ON THIS PAGE, PLEASE LET US KNOW. THANK YOU!